Sempervivum tectorum 'Hart'

Sempervivum tectorum 'Hart' is a striking, cold-hardy succulent admired for its dramatic contrast between fresh green rosette centres and richly coloured burgundy-red outer leaves. Its beautifully symmetrical, pointed foliage creates a bold, almost floral appearance, making this distinctive houseleek an attractive addition to succulent collections, rock gardens and decorative pots.

About Sempervivum 'Hart'

Sempervivum 'Hart' is a cultivated variety introduced by British breeder David T. Ford in 1970. Belonging to the Crassulaceae family, it forms tightly arranged rosettes of fleshy, pointed leaves that display particularly attractive seasonal colour changes.

One of its most appealing features is the contrast between the bright apple-green inner leaves and the surrounding red to burgundy foliage. Under favourable conditions, the outer leaves develop increasingly rich colouring, creating a beautiful two-toned effect. The intensity and distribution of these colours change naturally with sunlight, temperature and the seasons.

Growth Habit & Seasonal Colour

This evergreen succulent develops compact rosettes that can reach approximately 10cm across under favourable growing conditions. As plants mature, they produce smaller rosettes, commonly called chicks, around the parent plant, gradually forming attractive clusters.

Like other Sempervivums, 'Hart' changes appearance throughout the year. Cooler temperatures and bright growing conditions can encourage deeper red colouring, while active growth may bring fresher green tones into the centre of each rosette.

Its contrasting foliage makes it particularly attractive when planted alongside silver, blue-green or lighter-coloured succulents.

Flowers & Natural Life Cycle

Mature rosettes may eventually produce upright flowering stems carrying clusters of delicate, star-shaped pink flowers. These blooms can attract bees and other beneficial pollinating insects.

Sempervivums are monocarpic, meaning an individual rosette flowers only once before naturally dying. However, the surrounding offsets continue growing and eventually replace the flowering rosette, allowing the plant to maintain an established colony.

Flower stalks can be removed once flowering has finished to maintain a tidy appearance.

Growing Sempervivum 'Hart'

Sempervivum 'Hart' thrives in bright light to full sun, where its compact rosettes and seasonal colouring develop best. In warmer Australian regions, some afternoon protection during extreme summer heat can help prevent scorching.

Grow in a sharply draining succulent mix with additional mineral material such as pumice, coarse grit or perlite. Water thoroughly when the growing medium has dried, allowing excess moisture to drain freely.

Unlike many frost-sensitive succulents, Sempervivums are exceptionally cold hardy and tolerate freezing winter temperatures when grown in suitable conditions. Their greatest challenge is prolonged moisture around the roots, particularly during cold weather.

Ideal for rockeries, raised garden beds, alpine troughs and decorative containers, Sempervivum 'Hart' is a rewarding, relatively low-maintenance succulent that becomes increasingly attractive as its rosettes multiply.

Sempervivum tectorum 'Hart' plants for sale shown in 70mm pots. You will receive same or similar plants as those shown in images. Colours will vary depending on time of year and growing conditions.